An odometer is an instrument that indicates the distance traveled by a vehicle. It may be electronic, mechanical or a combination of both.
The word "odometer" comes from the Greek words hodos meaning path or gateway and metron, meaning measure. In some countries, an odometer is called a mileometer, kilometer, or tripometer.
In the 1600s, odometers were first developed for wagons and other horse-drawn vehicles to measure distances traveled.
In 1903, American inventors and brothers Arthur P. and Charles H. Warner of Beloit, Wisconsin developed the first 'newfangled' odometer for the automobile. It was later patented as the "auto-meter".
At first their invention did not cause much concern, as the earliest automobiles could only attain moderate speeds. However, as cars got faster, a need to know one's speed became increasingly important.
The brothers filled this need with their patented "auto-meter," which provided drivers not only with accurate readings of speeds up to sixty miles per hour but also kept track of the distances their cars had gone.
The brothers would also patent other items including a tachometer, paper making machine, electric brake, and power clutch.
At one point in their business, the Stewart-Warner Speedometer corporation developed a thermometer for the motor. However, they faced a lawsuit for patent infringement which they ultimately lost.
Arthur P. was one of the earliest pilots in America. His largely self-educated electrical engineering background (as well as his curiosity) had led him to assemble and eventually fly a Curtiss Pusher airplane.
Since 1903, technology has changed greatly. With that, the odometer continues to track how far we have traveled. It also tells us how far we go in a single trip. Other gauges monitor fuel consumption and oil pressure, speed and RPMs.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Whether your odometer is at 0 or 999,999, today is for new and classic car enthusiasts as well. Use #NationalOdometerDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
While National Day Calendar® continues to research this technology related holiday, they’ll check the tires and look under the hood for more information to share.
How many miles does on your odometer does it say that you have traveled?
#NationalOdometerDay
@driveodometer
@nichecinema
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